IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL wins GOLD AWARD

Costa Rica participates from April 5 to 7 in the tenth edition of the World Travel Market Latin America (WTM) fair, the main world event for the travel and tourism industry in Latin America, at the Expo Center Norte in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The event seeks to discover, recognize and promote examples of good practices in Responsible Tourism in our continent and announced the 2nd Responsible Tourism Award, which was delivered TODAY April 6, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This 2nd Responsible Tourism Award is part of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards family of awards, which validate good practices, providing replicable models of good practices. The categories of the Awards are:

• Decarbonization of the travel and tourism sector

• Support employees and communities during the pandemic

• Destinations that support a more sustainable post-COVID reconstruction

• Increasing diversity in tourism: How inclusive is our industry?

• Reduce plastic waste in the environment

• Greater local economic benefit

The second edition of the Responsible Tourism Award had 47 registered projects. Of these, 14 finalists were selected and the prizes were awarded on April 6, 2022.

This time Costa Rica receives TWO GOLD awards:

• Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism is awarded for its DONATAPA project with which it reduces plastic waste from the environment and converts it into accessibility implements in natural areas of the country.

• IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL leading tour operator agency in Accessible Tourism is awarded the GOLD award for being an example company in Inclusion, Diversity and achieving tourism for all people.

For Stephanie Sheehy, founding member of the
Costa Rican Network of Accessible Tourism, she mentions that “receiving this award fills her heart with optimism and pride. We continue to place Costa Rica on the world map as an innovative sustainable and responsible destination where we not only work on environmental sustainability but also on the Social axis.”

We also have the testimony of Mr. Emilio Zuñiga, co-founder of IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL. “The GOLD award makes us proud and positions us as leaders and pioneers in Accessible Tourism in Costa Rica and the world. This award means that we are doing things right. It is a great incentive since it shows us that everything that has been achieved, all the battles and the daily work of promoting a Costa Rica for all people is more recognized every day.”

Both gave a message of thanks to the organization for carrying out these awards, since they promote and encourage the work of organizations and companies that, even after some challenging times derived from the pandemic, continue with their missions of sustainability and responsibility.

Latest News for Entering Costa Rica

Beginning April 1, Costa Rica will no longer require travelers to complete an online Health Pass when visiting the destination. Additionally, unvaccinated travelers will no longer be required to purchase a travel insurance policy; however, it is still recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance to cover medical and lodging expenses in the event of contracting COVID-19.

All international tourists are permitted to enter Costa Rica by air, land and sea. The government of Costa Rica does not require tourists to present a negative COVID-19 test, nor quarantine upon arrival. Tourists visiting Costa Rica are, however, requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place when participating in tourist activities throughout the country.

Ready to Visit?

New Costa Rica Entry Requirements

 By air, you can enter the country on commercial or private international

 

Flights that land at the Juan Santamaría (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós (LIR) airports.

In the case of entering the country by sea, you can enter the country on yachts and sailboats only through the marinas of Golfito, Los Sueños, Pez Vela, Banana Bay and Papagayo.

The Government of the Republic does not require coronavirus detection tests, nor does it issue sanitary confinement orders to enter the country by air or land.

Those who enter the country by sea and who have not made a stopover elsewhere, should not be subjected to isolation if they have been sailing for more than 14 days.

Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place for carrying out all tourist activities in the country.

In the framework of the pandemic, the following requirements were also established:

1. Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS and available at https://salud.go.cr

   The Health Pass can only be completed within 72 hours of arriving in the country. It must be accessed in updated browsers with the exception of Internet Explorer. One form must be completed per person, including minors, without exception.

2. Travel policy
   

   * Important update for minors and individuals who are fully vaccinated *

   As of August 1, 2021, all tourists under 18 years of age can enter the country without a travel policy.

   As of August 1, 2021, all tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and inoculated with Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days before arrival in Costa Rica.

   Vaccinated tourists must attach the vaccination certificate to the Health Pass. As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:

   1. Name of the person who received the vaccine
   
   2. Date of each dose
   
   3. Pharmaceutical house

   In the case of U.S. travelers, the "COVID-19 vaccination record card" will be accepted.
   
   Tourists not vaccinated, with incomplete vaccination or vaccinated with a serum other than those admitted by the Costa Rican authorities, must purchase mandatory travel insurance that covers lodging in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 disease as detailed below.

   International Policies
   
   Regarding the policy, you can choose any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:
   
   1. Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates).
   
   2. $50,000 for medical expenses, including COVID-19 disease.
   
   3. $2,000 for lodging expenses in case of COVID-19 quarantine.
   
   Ask your insurance company for a certificate/letter in English or Spanish stating the following:
   
   1. Name of the person traveling.
   
   2. Validity of the effective policy during the Costa Rica visit (travel dates).
   
   3. Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in case of COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least $50,000
   
   4. Minimum coverage of $2,000 for lodging expenses for quarantine or trip interruption for this same amount.

   This certificate must specify that the policy covers COVID-19 and must be uploaded to the HEALTH PASS to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. Insurance cards are not accepted, it must be a document that allows the verification of the coverage mentioned.

   If you want more details and information we invite you to visit the oficial site of ICT on the link below:
   

   Entry Requirements | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website

    

 

Costa Rica Restrictions May 2021

For the months of January and February 2021, Costa Rica presented LOW indicators of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, Costa Ricans seeing that people were already being vaccinated, due to their

despair of being locked up for so long and their free time for leisure at Easter, caused the number of cases in Costa Rica to increase for the month of April 2021.

The Costa RicanTourism Institute, the Ministry of Health and the Private Industry have implemented strict hygiene and safety protocols to protect our visitors. From January to March 2021, Costa Rica reactivated international arrivals and as a country we managed to increase the number of airlines, the number of seats available and the visit of 203,755 people by air. The Security Perception Index for Costa Rica from June 2020 to today has remained oscillating between 80 and 90 points.

The tourism minister has repeatedly mentioned that the rate of positive cases in international visitors in tourism is 0.15.

Traveling in your bubble following the safety guidelines, using personal protection and using serious providers that have all the permits, safe travels seal and implementation of protocols makes Costa Rica a safe destination to travel.

Between the months of March and April 2021, IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL had 30 happy travelers of various nationalities enjoying Costa Rica. Everyone returned home with a negative covid test and full of fun, bonding memories. For the next few months we have several confirmed trips from people eager to enjoy a safe leisure trip. As a company, we ensure the safety of our staff and passengers, therefore we apply all bio-security protocols.

We also remind you that to enter Costa Rica you are ONLY requested to complete the Digital Health Form and bring an Insurance with specifications required by the Government of Costa Rica.

Travel Insurance  that Guarantees coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 virus while in Costa Rica, for at least USD $50,000 (fifty thousand United States Dollars). And includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for lodging expenses issued as a result of the pandemic.

It should also be noted that there is the possibility in the country without much work to carry out the PCR and Antigen tests for your return Home.

But ALTHOUGH we are ready to receive you, it is important to mention that in order to maintain the epidemiological situation in the country, which has increased from Easter till today (increase in positive cases in the country's population), several restrictions have been implemented FROM MAY 3 TO 9, 2021

• Airports are OPEN. The only restriction implemented is 50% capacity on the Shops inside the terminals.

• Hotels, Cabins, Accommodation Establishments are open without restriction

• Pools, restaurants, gyms, common areas within hotels, cabins, accommodation establishments need to be at 50% capacity

• National Parks with 50% capacity

• Beaches hours until 6pm.

• Car rentals are open. The rent a car can circulate any day they only have to follow the circulation schedule from 5am to 9pm

• There are no restrictions for tourist transport, taxis and special services must only follow the circulation schedule from 5am to 9pm

• The closure of all establishments with a health permit for the operation of customer service is ordered, except for the list of exceptions of essential establishments, which includes supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centers, grocery stores, suppliers, bakeries, butchers, greengrocers, home delivery, agricultural, veterinary and hygiene supplies, banks and funeral homes, hotels and farmer's fairs.

• Throughout the country, the vehicle restriction hours are from Monday to Sunday from 5am to 9:00 p.m.

• Vehicle restriction of even and odd plates during weekends.

If you want to read the restrictions in detail, you can visit:

https://sites.google.com/presidencia.go.cr/alertas/actualizaci%C3%B3n-de-alertas-y-medidas?authuser=0

Costa Rica GOOD NEWS!!!! We have positive progress

This is a summary in regards to Costa Rica's progress in relation to the world situation COVID-19

VACCINATION IN PROGRESS

Costa Rica got the first batch of bottles with the drug, developed by Pfizer-BioNTech on December 23, 2020. Costa Rica is one of the first countries in the continent to initiate immunization of risk groups.

The country started the vaccination December 24, 2020. The Minister of Health created 5 groups which dictates the priority in who gets it first. 

Costa Rica started the year 2021 with 2.455 Costa Ricans vaccinated.

Costa Rica signed contracts to purchase six million doses of Covid-19 vaccines with three suppliers, the one mentioned with Pfizer-BioNTech, and others with AstraZeneca-Oxford (one million doses) and the COVAX initiative of the World Organization of the Health (two million doses) to immunize three million people throughout 2021.

 POSITIVE CASES ARE GOING DOWN

The numbers of confirmed COVID-19 infections in recent days as well as hospitalizations for the disease are on a downward trend. The report as of today we have 193,276 infections, of them 38,720 active, 151,952 recovered and 2,604 deaths.

TESTS AVAILABLE

The PCR Test is available around the country. Its easy to do. 

1. Appointment + Cost $100 to $150usd per person

2. Do the Test - sample taken

3. The lab takes from 24 to 48 hrs to send the test results

4. You get the results by email which you have to show in the airline and migration of your country

In addition, as of January 29, 2021, ten private clinical laboratories have been approved to perform the antigen test. The advantage of this test is that the quickest result is provided. To perform this test, you must present your air ticket.
The endorsed laboratories are:

• Hospital Clinica Biblica
• Hospital La Catolica
• Hospital Metropolitano
• Hospital Universal
• Laboratorio Cartin
• Laboratorio Cenahce
• Laboratorio Paez
• Laboratorio San Jose
• Laboratorio Echandi
• Laboratorio Labin
  

Costa Rica is ready for you when you are! Safe Travels

 The Covid-19 situation worldwide has hit the tourism industry really hard. And we have not been the exception. IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL has been handling there for the past 10 months. 

But we do want you to know. That we have seen it with positive eyes. We took advantage of this CERO SEASON to get organize, renew web page, create new accessible destinations, and promote a Costa Rica for all!!!  It has been a very hard road on a very difficult time. And we know it will take this 2021 to start a slow recovery. But the light will come and travel will be part of People's Life. And when this happens, we will be ready with unique Costa Rican experiences for all.

We invite you to take a look at our New Information:

• Specialized Accessible Web Page 
  
• We won the Lonely Planets "Best in Travel 2021" 
• Continue our work with the non profit organization Costa Rica Tourism Accessible Network
• Continue supporting the Social and Enviornmental Project DONATAPA

And well we have been working on implementing all the Safe Travels Protocols so that our travelers can feel safe with us.

We have asked all our suppliers to do so as well. 

This is the Safe Travels Video where you can see the requirements to Enter Costa Rica:

 

 

And this is our Video of Protocols:

 

Safe Travel Seal in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is now has open air borders with the World and there is no Covid Test required. There are only three requirements:

1. Fill out the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr/step0. 

2. Travel Insurance  that Guarantees coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 virus while in Costa Rica, for at least USD $50,000 (fifty thousand United States Dollars). And includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for lodging expenses issued as a result of the pandemic.

3. Follow all Safe Travel protocols and use Personal Equipment at all time. 

The Costa Rica Institute of Tourism  created 16 protocols for the tourism industry and is now granting the seal locally to those who qualify.

160 Costa Rican tourism companies have obtained the Safe Travels seal for complying with health protocols. Including as you know our local ground operator IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL:

 

 

The Costa Rica government also announced that they encourage tourists to offset the carbon footprint generated by air flights and land travel in order to facilitate the raising of financial resources for the Payment of Environmental Services Program (PSA), thanks to the agreement signed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the National Forest Financing Fund (Fonafifo).

To know the economic amount to compensate the emissions of each journey, the traveler can use the calculator located on the sitehttps://www.fonafifo.go.cr/en/calculadora/and make the purchase right there.